Their one upmanship was fueled by their competitive spirit.
bragging rights
Frequency:
60
%
He always tried to one-up his friends to earn bragging rights.
ego boost
Frequency:
50
%
She engaged in one upmanship to get an ego boost.
superiority complex
Frequency:
45
%
His constant need for one upmanship stemmed from his superiority complex.
Idiomatic Expressions for one upmanship
Phrase: one-upmanship game
Meaning: A continuous competition to outdo others in various aspects
Usage: The political debate turned into a one-upmanship game, with each candidate trying to present themselves as the best choice.